C11 Into The Arena

Sol 35

POV Andrew

[Andrew]Daddy, he downright embarrassment me. You have to get revenge.

[Lord] Why would I care about your problems? You got yourself into this mess; get our self out.

[Andrew] but I can't. He's too strong.

[Lord] So I heard. You pissed yourself. You are a disgrace to my family. I can't even believe you are my son. I buy you everything you need to succeed. Fancy armor, swords, trainers, and yet you use none of it. You are walking around trying to look like something you are not and playing with girls instead of training. Disgrace. Leave my presence now and never speak of this to me again.

The Lord started to get up out of the chair; he sat in and started to walk away.

[Andrew] Wait, wait, he had a sword. It was special.

[Lord] Oh, Explain.

[Andrew] Well, when he pulled it out, I could feel unimaginable fear; some of the soldiers also had it happen to them. And you know that nice new sword you got me?

[Lord] Yes, what a waste.

Andrew continued as if he hadn't heard the comment.

[Andrew] Well, when he swung his sword at me, I tried to block, but it shattered my sword.

[Lord] Shattered, you say. Mmm. Very interesting. The sword you speak of has an ability meaning it is an a-ok weapon. But for it to shatter your sword completely, the wielder must have been powerful and the sword incredibly sharp. Now that I think about it, this person would have to be exceptionally skilled.

[Andrew] Yes

[Lord] I want to fight him and have this incredible sword. What is his name?

[Andrew] Harlock

[Lord] Oh Harlock, I think I finally found another opponent worthy of fighting me, and that is you. Worry not, my son. I will avenge you.

[Andrew] Thank you, Thank you

[Lord] But now since I am helping you. You will attend all the lessons I prescribe, or you will be disowned.

A look of despair fell upon Andrews's face.

POV Harlock

A sudden knocking at his door gained Harlock's attention. Walking over to the door, he opens it and found a maid outside.

[Maid] Sir, there is someone outside the inn waiting for you.

[Harlock] Who?

[Maid] A lord sir

'ah seems like that prick went running to daddy.

[Harlock] I see. I will go now.

Harlock walked down the stairs and out of the inn to find an opulent carriage waiting outside for him. He stood there waiting for something to happen, and sure enough, once he was outside, the door opened to reveal a beast of a man with dark hair and blue eyes. He wore golden armor that has was worn but still as good it used to be. By the way, this man held himself; you could see he had seen battle and a lot of it.

(Here)

[Lord] Are you Harlock?

[Harlcok] Ya, and who are you?

[Lord] I am baron Adrian, The battle maniac.

[Harlock] The battle maniac?

[Adrian] Yes, I received the title in my younger days when I craved war like no other." he said with a sigh

[Harlock] And I assume you are the kid's dad I fought yesterday.

[Adrian] Yes, and I know full well that it was a fair fight in all, but I can not let some outsider beat my son. I do have a reputation, after all. So I must challenge you to a duel to the death.

[Harlock] What are the stakes.

[Adrian] Everything in our possession.

[Harlock] I am sure your wealth far exceeds mine.

[Adrian] Maybe, But that sword on your back makes up for it more than enough.

[Harlock] So you like my sword, do you? Well, I accept your challenge, and since this is more final, I suppose we are doing it somewhere.

[Adria] Yes to days, in the arena we will meet. I will be making it an event of sorts. Whoever wins will get all the profit. Oh, and you cant have my titles since they are not mine to give.

[Harlock] I wouldn't want them anyway. So you agree I get everything else though deed money armor coaches, correct. Oh, and you won't transfer your wealth to your son or anything.

[Adrian] Only a warrior with no honor would do that. If I lose, he will only have what's on his back and the other things I gave him over the years.

[Harlock] You are much different than your son.

[Adrian] I grew up with nothing on my back except for my sword. The only thing I care about is battle, not money or wealth.

[Harlock] Not many can say that, very impressive. Will we have a second?

[Adrian] I am sorry, I no not what that is.

[Harlock] Basically, if the judge of the duel declares the duel invalid since the combatant will have already died, there is a second to fight in your place. Can I also choose the judge?

[Adrian] Mmm, I have never heard of that, but I agree with both your points, but it must be someone honorable.

[Harlock] Would the captain of the guard, Aries, work?

[Adrian] Ahh, yes, Aries would be perfect. I will arrange everything. Be in the arena in two days.

[Harlock] Of course.

{Quest:

The Lords Battle

Defeat the Baron of a nearby town

Requirement: Kill the Lord

Reward: All of the Lord's possessions, One set of armor from the system

Penalty: Death

Warning: There is a reason he is called the battle manic}

{You have already accepted}

'Fun'

Adrian hopped back into his carriage. The driver gave a whip of the rains, and it started to roll away.

'Well, I will get the ship in the water off the coast.

Harlock headed for the gate. He quickly made it in and out.

Running up the coast, Harlock made good time with his new stats. He was strong and faster.

Soon about 13 miles and out of view of the town. He came to a cove with high valley walls and in a small inlet.

'Perfect, when we finish the duel in two days, I can come here.'

'System, please take out the small frigate and crew.'

{Are you sure once taken with an item this large, you can not put it back.}

'Yes'

Soon a large ship appeared out in the water with a crew onboard standing at attention. It was a wooden ship, just like in Pirates of the Caribbean.

'I will wait on the ship for a day and a half.'

Jumping down onto the ship, he informed the crew what was going to happen.

On top of the mast, there is a flat platform called the crow's nest. Harlock climbed up there, laid down looking. With his head resting against the mast and his feet hanging off the side.

Sunset was coming.

Once the sunset, Harlock watched the stars, trying to find some of the old constellations from his time period and couldn't find any.

'Fun how less polluted the world is by humans.'

After 36 hours on the boat, Harlock Climbed up the valley walls heading towards the city.

Soon he reached the gate, except for this time, things were different. Instead of being stopped, everyone scrambled to get out of his way. As he walked into the city, things were different about it. Nice carriages were coming in from the gates in a steady stream. The city was packed. The people who saw and recognized him and tried to get out of the way had nowhere to go except push into other people the carriages were going at a craw.

He turned his direction towards the guardhouse. Once he was almost there, Aries walked out of the house.

[Aries] Glad you could make it. You were starting to worry the Lord. He thought you might not show.

[Harlock] Why are there so many people? I am sure the last time I was here the number of people was far less.

[Aries] That is because of you. The Lord has made this into a complete festival. Inviting people from other towns and cities to watch the great warrior, Baron Adrian, fight once more against a man that supposedly killed a massive monster without even moving.

[Harlock] Without even moving, I'm sure." he said in a sarcastic tone

[Aries] I tried to stop the rumors but to no avail.

[Harlock] So all of these people for one fight?

[Aries] God no. You guys are just the final. I'm pretty sure they are starting the fights are starting soon. It would be best if you headed over there now. I will be going in a moment because you signed me up to ref your match.

[Harlock] Ya, I will head over now, and I am sure you will enjoy judging.

Aries Gave a shack of his head and walked back into the house.

Harlock started walking through the bustling crowd.

It took Harlock and hour and a half to reach the arena.

It was big. Bigger than you would expect it to be but not nearly as big as the Roman Colosseum. It was about two stories high with our work all over it.

Standing outside their was lines going back into the distance with little arches where people were entering.

Someone suddenly ran out and up to him.

'How the hell are all these people going to fit in there.

[Attendent] Are you Harlock?

[Harlcok] Yes.

[Attendant] Please follow me. I will lead you to the participant entrance.

The man lead him around the outside of the arena to the back; here, there was possibly more activity than in the back.

Beasts in cages on top of carts were being rolled into the underside of the arena.

Men in heavy armor were practicing off to the side, having little duels. Some were staring into space, focusing their minds.

At this point, the attendant left him. Saying someone would find him when they started.

'I bet there will be no one left.'

Walking through all the men, cages, boxes, and other stuff, he walked forward, going down a long ramp. Off to his right, there was a stair going up. Presumably to get to the stands.

After following the ramp, the tunnel broke off into curving tunnels going in the opposite direction. The beasts one way and men the other.

Harlock decided to go the way the beasts were going.

Following the tunnel, it soon came to a gate that was on the left wall. It was more like a cage. It was currently open all the way out into the arena.

Harlock walked out to the open standing, looking out.

(Here)

He now realized how all the people would fit; it was built down into the ground. The only part on top was the arches.

'This arena is huge.'

He walked out into the arena, looking around. Some people had already arrived and were waiting in their seats.

He walked to the middle of the arena. Went down on a knee and picked up a handful of sand and let it slowly slip through his hand.

The people had quieted down to watch him.

He stood up and turned back to the direction he had come from and exited the arena.